Detachable shelf for ladders



Patented Jan. 12, 1943 UNITED STATES DETACHABLE SHELF FOR LADDERS- Harry Larsen and- John Kreer, San Francisco, Calif.

Application March 29, 1941, Serial No. 385,936

2 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in detachable shelves for use with stepladders and the like, and has for its principal object the provision of a simply constructed, novel, and inexpensive attachment adapted for use in connection with most of the present-day types of stepladders, by which paint cans, buckets, tools and similar paraphernalia may be safely and securely supported at the proper working level so as to be conveniently accessible to the painter or other person performing the work, thus enabling the worker to do such work more efficiently and less laboriously than heretofore.

A further object of the invention is to provide a removable shelf for stepladders or the like, which shall be so constructed as to effectively prevent accidents of many kinds which commonly result from the use of inadequately equipped present-day types of ladders, thus effecting saving of time and money for the user as well as rendering the operations involved less hazardous.

Another object of the invention is to provide a removable stepladder shelf or the like which shall be strong and durable, yet light in weight, low in cost of manufacture, capable of instantaneous use by even the most inexperienced person, speedily attachable and removable, and of a design which shall consume a minimum of space when stored away during non-use.

Other and further objects of the invention will be apparent from the disclosures in the accompanying drawing and following specification.

The invention, in a preferred form, is illustrated in the drawing and hereinafter more fully described.

In the drawing:

Figure 1 is a plan view of a common household stepladder having the removable shelf of our invention attached thereto.

Figure 2 illustrates the same ladder and attachment in side elevation, and partially in section.

As shown in the drawing:

A common stepladder formed of the usual pair of rails l between which are mounted ordinary steps or rungs I2 and a somewhat enlarged top rung or shelf I4, is set up in working position by extending a .pair of reinforced bracing rails l6 which are pivoted to the ladder at 18, the amount of spread between the rails I0 and I6 being limited by some form of extensible connection (not shown), which may be a form of hinge, a pair of pivoted metal arms, or any other means well known in the art, whereby a rigid ladder structure will result. This extensible connection is usually located near the middle of the ladder structure, or at least at a level substantially below the upper rung or apex of the ladder, and is formed by some manufacturers with a stationary integral folding shelf extension which projects a short distance outward beyond the rails IS when the ladder is inset-up position, for which, however, the worker finds very little use because of its usually flimsy construction and its peculiar location which makes it convenient only when the worker is working at one particular and seldom-used level. Apparently for this reason it seems to have become universal practice for the operator to carry objects such as paint buckets or tools in one hand while performing the work with the other, or to use the upper rung l4 or one of the intermediate rungs l2 upon which to rest them.

Besides being thus inconveniently located so as to make its use extremely awkward, the integral shelf above referred to usually consists merely of a relatively narrow and inadequately reinforced platform, which, when used for supporting paint buckets, tools, and the like, permits such objects to tip off or roll off at the slightest nudge or movement of the ladder, causing spilling of materials and damage to surrounding surfaces or furniture, and frequently serious injury to persons who may be Working nearby. The use of the ladder rungs for supporting the objects named is subject to the same hazards and is therefore equally objectionable.

Having often encountered difficulties of this nature in following our own trade as painters and decorators and in performing other related tasks, we have solved such problems most effectively by constructing and using the device of this invention, which consists of a relatively large detachable shelf or tray 26 having an upwardly directed border flange or guard rail 22, the shelf 20 having an integral extension 24 in alined continuation thereof which is adapted to extend beneath the stepladder rungs, such as, for example, the upper rung it, and be clamped thereto by means of stationary metal hooks or clips 26 fastened on the upper face of the extension 24, which hooks are adapted to engage and grip one edge of the rung I4, while an oppositely disposed slidable hook 23 rigidly anchored to the extension 24 near its edge, is adapted to engage and grip the opposite edge of the rung Hi, the hook 28 having a slotted base extension 30 adapted to be securely fastened to the member 24 by suitable tightening and adjusting means, as for example by the wing-nut and screw combination 32 extending through a slot 34 in the extension 24, and also through the slotted hook base 30, in the manner shown in the drawing, so as to permit of longitudinal and arcuate movement of the hook 28 and thus make the device readily adjustable to the Width and contour of various types of ladder rungs.

The slot 34 in the member 24 preferably extends through the edge thereof, so that the hook 28 may, if necessary, be completely separated from the member 24 without removing the tightening means 32, which remains secured to the slotted hook extension 30. Such separation of the parts is unnecessary, however, unless the device is to be attached to ladder rungs or steps mounted over reinforcing tie rods spaced some distance below the rungs, in which case some of the offset parts of the completely assembled device are not apt to clear the space between such rung and its reinforcement, making it necessary to disconnect the hook 28 from the member 24 before attachment, and later reconnect them after sliding the parts under the step or rung from opposite sides of the ladder. When no such obstruction is encountered the completely assembled shelf may be slid under the rung from one side for convenient mounting.

The shelf 20 itself may be made broad enough and sufficiently strong to carry a very substantial load, and its flange or guard rail 22 will prevent objects from sliding and falling over its edges, making for the utmost safety.

To provide an additional safety feature we prefer to equip our device with a plurality of spaced can-holding elements which may be in the form of hooks 35 anchored to the shelf 20 by means of sturdy extensible coil springs or the like 38, whereby unusually top-heavy containers may be held securely upon the shelf base to positively prevent any tilting, the hooks 36 being simply pulled over the edge of the can 40 against the tension of the springs 38, and being thus easily disengageable when it is desired to remove the can from the shelf.

It will be seen that herein is, provided an extremely simple and inexpensive device of great value in its particular field, in that it promotes efliciency and safety and reduces the accident hazard to a minimum, while rendering the tasks involved more pleasant and agreeable due to the greater convenience and protection it affords. Furthermore, it is strong and durable, composed of a minimum of parts which cannot get out of order, and can be conveniently carried from place to place and stored in a small space due to its compact design and light weight.

While the showing made herein is descriptive of our device as used in connection with a stepladder, it will be obvious that the same may be used to equal advantage on any other type of ladder having fiat steps or rungs.

We claim as our invention:

1. A detachable shelf for ladders comprising an object supporting platform, an integral extension on said platform in alined continuation thereof and adapted to extend beneath and transversely of a ladder rung, a stationary hook on said extension for engagement with one edge of the ladder rung, and a slidably adjustable hook on said extension for engagement with the opposite edge of the ladder rung.

2. A detachable shelf for ladders comprising an object supporting platform, an integral rearward extension on said platform in alined continuation thereof and adapted to extend beneath and transversely of a ladder rung, said extension having a slot opening through its rear face, a stationary hook on said extension for engagement with one edge of the ladder rung, and a hook slidably and adjustably mounted in said slot for engagement with the opposite edge of the ladder rung.

HARRY LARSEN. JOHN KREER. 

